My previous post may have led you to believe that I exercise only for aesthetic reasons, and I want to debunk that thought.

Do I exercise for aesthetic purposes? Yes. Do I exercise only for aesthetic purposes? No!

I mostly exercise for a sane mind. Ask my husband or children. If I don't exercise I'm cranky, moody, sad, angry, impatient and tired but let me have thirty minutes of movement and I shine.

I like myself better AFTER I exercise than before. I just can't seem to get my mind to a good place until I have kicked up my endorphins for the day. Therefore, my ideal time to workout is first thing in the morning. That way my family doesn't have to deal with me until after I have gotten my mind in a good place through exercise. If I wait until later in the day, I have a hard time getting myself motivated because so many other things come up, I am grumpy all day because my workout is hanging over my head, and nothing seems in order to me so I am less likely to be patient and more likely to feel anxious.

Exercise makes me a better mom, a better wife and a better person in general. The emotional and mental benefits of exercise are more astounding than the physical!

That being said, the physical health benefits of exercise come in as a close second reason for me to workout every day. I exercise to avoid weight gain which helps me avoid numerous illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease. I was given a precious life and I plan to take good care of my body so that I can live to the fullest for as long as possible. I want to age gracefully and stay independent for as long as I can. I plan to be in the gym past my 90th birthday! How many of you will be with me?

If you aren't active now, get active, because I want to see lots of other 90+ year-olds of sound mind and body populating the gym with me in 60 years!